Heartland Side-by-Side in the Spotlight

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October 18, 2010 – Fort Wayne. Four year Side-by-Side student Kirsten Overdahl has pioneered a new project in correlation with Maestro Robert Nance, Heartland Chamber Chorale, and Homestead High School. Kirsten Overdahl began singing with the HCC as a freshman and after a recent experience at Interlochen Arts Camp and information from Homestead High School’s ALPHA Mentorship Program, decided it was time to give something back to her community.

Homestead’s ALPHA Mentorship Program connects students to professionals, and Kirsten has created a program to work with Maestro Nance as her mentor. Within the realms of this program, she will work in HCC’s office as a student intern, learning the inner workings and administration of a professional chorus. Her goal is to be a major promoter of the Side-by-Side Program. “The program has shaped my musical passion and helped me to understand the definition of professional musical excellence, and I hope to do whatever I can do to ensure that other high school vocal musicians have the same opportunities that I have had.”

She will continue to sing soprano for the Chorale and will independently study all aspects of music theory, history, and literature. She will be student-directing a new chamber ensemble of 10 singers at Homestead High School. This ensemble will sing for Homestead events, ISSMA Mixed Vocal Ensemble Competition, and a Heartland Chamber Chorale concert. Her singers have agreed to sign a contract of policies and expectations, similar to Heartland’s model contract. Her long term goal is to make the ensemble a permanent group at Homestead.

She is thankful for the support and help of the Homestead faculty, Maestro Nance, and the Heartland Chamber Chorale in helping her design this program and letting it take wing and soar. “It will be a year of continuous learning and growth for everyone involved, but I am grateful for all the enthusiasm and encouragement with which I have been met.”